Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted.I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!

I’m still feeling sick this week, so it’s been nice getting these surprise treats.

It is uptempo! I can’t really judge how I’ll feel about the whole song from the snippet because it takes it from end of the chorus and beginning of the last verse. However, it feels like it has the potential to be catchy which is good for singles, so I can’t wait to find out my final verdict next week when I hear it in full, lol.

sma11ie

I’ll bring my comment over too:
I almost ALWAYS hate 30-second snippets, even if I find out I like the whole song but I… think I like this? Dunno what that means, lol. I dunno why I even listen to snippets, since they often mean nothing to me, but I couldn’t resist =P.

I think the “cheesy instrumentation” is from the beginning of the 2nd verse? I think it’s to make the song more poppy…?

cheese

Hmm, well I certainly like it more than I liked Light On at first listen. It kind of reminds me of the uptempo singles from Kelly’s last album for some reason. RCA might as well stream the whole thing on DCO now plz.

I don’t really mind that it’s poppy, since David is more of a favorite guilty pleasure artist of mine rather than a favorite artist who satisfies my music snob sensibilities.

tinawina

Yeah, I listened, and I can’t tell a thing other than it’s uptempo. I feel nothing for the moment. My verdict is on reserve :D

My snippet judgment is bad anyway. S8: HATED the snippet of Whattya Want From Me, and even hated the longer 2 minute clip when it came out… LOVED the song when I finally heard, it. Just the opposite with Soaked. LOL. S9… Framers Daughter snippet sound cheesy. Full song = love. I need to just wait for the full song and call it a day given my past history.

suenigma

Very poppy, very catchy, he sounds great. Whether or not it turns out to be my favorite song on the record, this is exactly what he needs right now. The lyrics are touching but accessible. And it is uptempo. Yay!

spencer

I also am not a fan of the “30-second snippets.” Sounds kinda familiar. I am not liking the cover for this single – sorree but he looks as if he’s saying “awww, look at me” like a little boy who has just been reprimanded. He’s such a good looking guy too.

Trina

Holy shit it IS uptempo! I was not expecting that from the lyrics. I’m liking the sample though.

fadetowhite

Uh – not sure. It’s certainly more uptempo than I expected.

But I’ll wait to hear the whole song…

ETA: I think it has ‘catchy’ potential…

Honestly – not so sure that this is my favourite kind of Cook sound (not a sound I think we’ve heard from Cook at all, based on the snippet) but if it works as a single, it’s all good.

And I’ll probably end up loving it anyway.

LaRue

The sample does nothing for me. I need more to make a well-informed opinion.

MollyAnnMay

The background instrumentation is pretty….cheesy

But is it cheesy enough for pop radio? By current standards, who knows?

Also, damned if he (and/or Tedder) didn’t turn those lyrics (which I loved, once I got to read the verses) on their head and make them sort of… bouncy.

Now if they actually managed to contrast angsty lyrics with snappy music and achieve snarkiness, I’ll get on board.

In conclusion (and it’s the only conclusion from such a tiny snip), his voice sounds *great* and is not buried under a bunch of synthy instrumental nonsense. Yay!

Chicagolaw

I don’t even judge by snippets anymore, I am always way off. I think David almost had to lead off with something uptempo, so he has that covered. Can’t wait to hear the whole thing!

ETA—sounds very HAC; but, again, it’s just a snippet so who knows

http://twitter.com/maxsmom61 CathyMK

It sounds like a single aimed at Top 40 and HAC, as it should. Seems like it could be a catchy and fun summer song.

Like most of you, I can’t tell how much I’ll like it just based on 30 seconds. I don’t hate it, anyway, LOL.

CindyM

I don’t get poppy from it, but I do like thats its more uptempo. Have to wait for the full song before deciding I like it or not.

blmetsfan

It sounds OK. 30 seconds is tough, but nothing about it stands out just yet. TBD lol

aa618892

Well what I heard sounded good! Not a huge David fan but I do like his voice. Wish we could have heard more, lol.

springboard

Love his voice. Not keen on what sounds like a typical idol cheesy HAC song. sigh.. but it is just a snippet and they can be misleading.

jumpstart

I refuse to judge based on a 30-second snippet because, well, I suck at it. Streaming now would be nice RCA … just sayin.’

Balance

I hate snippets too but damn if I don’t think I’m going to love this one! Didn’t get that feeling the first time I heard LO so I’m a happy Cook fan right now. I wouldn’t be mad at DCO if they’d just go ahead and stream the whole song though…just so I could be sure.

eta: From the snippet…I think this will kill on HAC, can’t tell about CHR until we hear it in its entirety.

fadetowhite

Yeah – I need streaming way before the single drops.

I just wish I could have a visceral, ‘oh yeah’ response to a new Cook single: just once. Like the visceral, ‘oh yeah’ response to the RITD and Drive covers from last weekend.

Sigh.

The lyrics were great, but the music just isn’t there yet, I don’t think.

Though I do like what I’ve heard of the music on other tracks…

We’ll see.

Kirsten

The background instrumentation is pretty….cheesy lol.

I recognize Matt Serletic’s fingerprints.

Cook’s voice transcends the production.

MollyAnnMay

It’s funny that so many didn’t like “Light On” when they first heard a sample — that’s how I first fell for this guy: from the sample of LO that played under the “Dreams Start Again” commercial for season 8 (I didn’t watch season 7).

I realize now it wasn’t the song at all that stopped me in my tracks — it was the voice. That’s my only issue — I get that songs have to be manufactured within a very narrow set of parameters to fit on the radio these days, but as long as I can hear Cook’s voice, I’m happy.

I even like it on that, “When you get over you, get back to me” song.

I’m also happy for a) uptempo and b) a song that sounds like it will be a hell of a lot easier to sing — and sell — live than LO.

rayni

I’m easy. It’s David. I love it.

pattycake

I love the lyrics, I think I have a disconnect with the music thus far as it isn’t the beat i have been singing to since last night.
I have been waiting for 3 years for a record. I already purchased it and I will like it, damn it!

Trina

I’m seeing from some friends on Facebook (thats the only place I looked so far) peeps complaining its not rock. Did anyone honestly expect RCA to release some rockish lead single? I didnt expect that at ALL. Even if the album is filled with rock songs I pretty much expected something that would be more suitable for current radio even if its just HAC.

sr4mjc

So hard to tell from 30 seconds. I don’t hear pop at all, HAC play should easily be Top 10. I also don’t think that it sounds too different from the first album, but yet again I’ll wait and see. I often don’t like singles nearly as much as album tracks.

S8: HATED the snippet of Whattya Want From Me, and even hated the longer 2 minute clip when it came out… LOVED the song when I finally heard, it. Just the opposite with Soaked.

Exactly the same for me! I still hate what Cavallo did with Soaked.

It is about as uptempo as I expect from Tedder/Cookie.

Tamarynd

From the snippet, Cook’s voice, the tempo and the lyrics are good. The music itself, though, seems a bit too lightweight. Still, it’s not bad- like CathyMK mentioned, this could do OK as a catchy summer song on Top 40/HAC. Maybe the live versions will have more heft.

tinawina

I still hate what Cavallo did with Soaked.

That was Cavallo? Yeah, I was mad at the way that song was produced. It was like someone put it through a Muse Xerox Bland-O-Meter 2.0. Boo Cavallo. You suck for Idols. LOL

I’m seeing from some friends on Facebook (thats the only place I looked so far) peeps complaining its not rock.

Really? Sounds pretty pop/rock so far. Were people expecting a straight up rock song?

LaraC

I just wish I could have a visceral, ‘oh yeah’ response to a new Cook single: just once. Like the visceral, ‘oh yeah’ response to the RITD and Drive covers from last weekend.

I do wish his own music was as soulful and edgy as the songs he chooses as covers.
His first singles so far have been load, cheesy and the production left no room for interpretation. It drowns and limits his tone and phrasing, and it’s a shame since those are his greatest assets.

Chicagolaw

I’m NOT a Serletic fan, that is my biggest concern for the album. I really want to like the production this time around.

sr4mjc

Matchbox 20’s ‘Youself or Someone Like You’ is one of my favorite albums, so I’m not going to hate on Serletic yet. Of course that album came out 15 years ago

AllenTX

Cook’s voice transcends the production.

maybe to a die-hard cook’s fan. nowadays it’s hard to imagine anybody’s voice alone can carry the song, just have a listen of josh groban’s latest album. the sound and production of the snippet are so generic, and not in a trendy top40 kind of generic, more like hac brand of generic. with the label’s backing, hac top 10 for sure.

Fergie

I’m seeing from some friends on facebook….peeps complaining it’s not rock

LOL, there are diehard Cook fans who insist that he really wants to be metal/hard rock and RCA is suppressing him because that’s the music THEY want to hear. Even through Analog Heart and the other pre idol albums were certainly not hard rock.

30 sec clips mean nothing to me, your idea of the song will change depending on where the clip is taken from. I like what I hear so far, need to hear the whole thing or at the very least the 1:30 itunes clip.

Some fans want David to hit big on HAC and Top 40 but they want that to happen with a Foo Fighters type song. Time to face facts, that’s not what gets played. You can’t have it both ways.
He’ll lose some fans by having the first single be more poppy but I think he’ll gain more than he loses…and new fans/ears is what he needs to succeed long term. The general music public is a hell of a lot less critical.

http://emuisemo.pbworks.com eilonwy

I do wish his own music was as soulful and edgy as the songs he chooses as covers.

I’m having a flashback to when Bowersox’s snippets were made available, to mass horror at the cheesiness, and then the production turned out to generally be grittier than we’d been led to fear.

Gonna celebrate “up-tempo” and leave it at that for the nonce, as whatever I conclude based on a fast listen on the office computer speakers will inevitably be laughably inaccurate as an assessment of the entire song.

Garnetstar

I don’t hate Serletic either. His hits with Rob Thomas have been pretty great on the radio and have had long shelf lifes. Not able to listen on my iPad will have to wait till im home. The Cook fandom is nothing if not varied in opinion.

cookbunny

Listen while you can…looks like RCA is running around trying to take down every snippet they can (the Amazon link is already disabled).

I guess we weren’t supposed to hear it yet.

ETA: My opinion? LOVEd the first part, “meh” at the middle, really like the end. Hope the rest of the song is more like the first and third parts.

spanishfan

This is a song everyone will be singing. It hits you immediately and is uptempo thank heavens. Looking very promising.

I’m having a flashback to when Bowersox’s snippets were made available, to mass horror at the cheesiness, and then the production turned out to generally be grittier than we’d been led to fear.

In part that’s because Amazon’s compression for their snippets is generally not the best. It’s pretty hard to get an accurate read on the sonic “space” of a track without actually downloading it. So I’m gonna wait for the whole thing.

http://www.twilightslo.com Mateja

Seems like a pretty generic HAC song?

tierbee

LOL, some of y’all scared me – I love that his voice seems to be front and center. Seems catchy. Won’t judge from snippet, though – snippets are my enemy. I never call it right from the snippets ;)

Kirkee

Generic HAC. But from the snippet it’s catchy generic HAC. I kind of like it.

luci

I don’t have the same wtf face as when I heard Light on, so that’s promising. I think it’s very catchy and hopefully it will chart well.

bridget

Is this the song that he’ll likely sing when he appears on AI?

Allison

From that snippet it’s nothing special.

Brisblondie

I’m very excited to hear the rest of this song. It always takes me a few listens to get into something, and since this isn’t what I was expecting, I’m excited to check it out and really give it a listen. Plus, the lil snip is already stuck in my head.

Fullmoon

I’ll be fair and wait for the whole snippet but I’m not feeling it. His voice sounds great but it’s a typical generic Hac song. It’ll do well on Hac radio. I hope this album isn’t a redux of his first album.

Buffynut

Sounds like David Cook! That’s a good thing, I think!

sunchick

I was pleasantly surprised by the lyrics, ie very Cookian and definitely not generic, and I’m a big lyrics stickler, so he’s ahead of the curve.

I honestly can’t tell a damn thing about the music from that snippet other than it’s definitely uptempo, and a little too tinkly on the production side, maybe? I dunno. At this point I’m on a love/hate basis with Serletic based on Ryan Star’s last CD. I was very familiar with the back catalogue songs that made his album, and I love love love what he did with Losing Your Memory where the big production took the song to an epic level (it’s my favorite from the album), and hate with the passion of a thousand suns the way he ruined the simple beauty of We Might Fall with overproduction. So I figure Cookie’s album could go either way. I hope Cookie didn’t cave to the same temptation that Star caved to, ie to throw all the expensive new toys into every song.

CuriousJG

It’s hard to judge based on a snippet (just ask JLo, Randy and Steven, heh). I will say, first listen was “okay, its uptempo”, second listen was “okay, its still uptempo. Catchy uptempo”. An hour later, its stuck in my head and growing on me. Is it hardcore rock? No, but neither is some of the stuff you find with the Foo’s or My Chemical Romance. Having heard Paper Heart and teaser of Goodbye to the Girl, I think there is a lot to look forward to. I’m happy. My expectations are balanced :)

luly

From the snippet imo it sounds catchy.

GreenHippo

OMG OMG OMG a snippet and it sounds like typical David Cook. \o/ Yay. Hopefull they won’t over-produce his album again.

lifeisgood

Can’t tell much from the snippet but I really like David’s voice.

fadetowhite

I’m having a flashback to when Bowersox’s snippets were made available, to mass horror at the cheesiness, and then the production turned out to generally be grittier than we’d been led to fear.

Hope so.

I didn’t want a rock single, necessarily and certainly wasn’t expecting one: not in this musical climate…

I wanted one with a strong sound.

And ITA with whoever said that the sound/production, whatever it is, leaves the vocals with no room to breathe.

Having heard what Cook does with Drive and RITD – which are both great songs, with great sounds – I just can’t understand why the production on his records doesn’t allow for his vocals to interpret the lyrics and rhymns with this natural strength.

Does he not appreciate this talent in himself? Does the record company/production not appreciate it? Or is it just not a current sound and therefore thought to be unimportant?

I just don’t get it, but maybe I’m just out of touch.

That said, he has promised songs that delve into the bittersweet side of life and feed from raw emotions…

This song with this sound is not going to do that – unless the rest of the song is dramatically different. So maybe the rest of the record will.

I don’t know. I’m fighting feelings of disappointment here…

Maybe the full single will turn it round and maybe multiple listens will convert me or maybe I’ll have to wait for the album.

I’m just hoping I’m not going to be disappointed full stop.

tierbee

There was not a chance in Hades that he was releasing a rock song for a first single. I don’t know why anyone even hoped it, heh.

leome

Very poppy, very catchy, he sounds great. Whether or not it turns out to be my favorite song on the record, this is exactly what he needs right now. The lyrics are touching but accessible. And it is uptempo. Yay!

I don’t have a lot more to add. This is how I feel about it at the moment.
I am happy that his voice is not burried.

Did anyone honestly expect RCA

I’d lost faith in them if they did that. They want David to chart on radio, David wants to chart on radio. That’s not gonna happen with something very rockish but pop-rock has a chance. Will it happen? Who knows. But gotta try. And plus, people know in concert it will be a bit more rock than pop.

tierbee

All I know is it really is impossible to gauge a song from a tiny snippet. I am always wrong. And if I really love this song I don’t know if I’ll be scared or thrilled because I absolutely am completely out of step with what’s “hot” on the radio lol. I can’t listen to Top 40 stuff more than 10 minutes without changing the channel. And the stuff I DO like is usually more R&B leaning, which David Cook was not going to be.

tierbee

I’m actually peeking at the Billboard 100 right now and, yeah. It’s either dance-y or R&B-ish for pretty much all. Katy Perry, Rihanna, BEP, Cee Lo, Gaga, Jeremih f/50 Cent, Chris Brown, Britney, JLo and then Rolling in the Deep by Adele rounds out the top 10 (yay for that one!).

windmills

I’m sure it’s because of where they took the clip but at the end of it the song was really sounding like My Immortal by Evanescence except uptempo. Does anybody else hear that?

Based on the clip it seems like catchy pop/rock made for HAC.

Balance

I just went to Amazon and listened to a bunch of snippets of songs from other artists that, when I heard them on the radio, I just knew they were going to hit big. If I had heard the snippets first, there wasn’t one that I would have pegged as a sure hit.

I’m much happier with this snippet than I was with LO, so I have faith that when the full version comes out it won’t disappoint.

LOL I had to go and listen to it with that in mind and I think I know what you mean. From there I could sing the These wounds won’t seem to heal…

I’m still with “damn, it’s really uptempo”. I think after the lyrics and the cover I was questioning it a bit. lol

fadetowhite

I just went to Amazon and listened to a bunch of snippets of songs from other artists that, when I heard them on the radio, I just knew they were going to hit big. If I had heard the snippets first, there wasn’t one that I would have pegged as a sure hit.

Makes me feel better.

I need to hear the whole song…

Barbariba

I’m easy. It’s David. I love it.

Heh. I feel the same way. It’s The Voice! I love everything he sings.

springboard

Having heard what Cook does with Drive and RITD – which are both great songs, with great sounds – I just can’t understand why the production on his records doesn’t allow for his vocals to interpret the lyrics and rhymns with this natural strength.

Does he not appreciate this talent in himself? Does the record company/production not appreciate it? Or is it just not a current sound and therefore thought to be unimportant?

I think that the label that has very conservative taste and ideas.

fadetowhite

It’s growing on me – a bit…

ETA: but I could really do without that oo-oo-ooh thing!

progression

Singles are rarely my favorite songs on a record, and certainly not in Dave’s case. I’m totally behind him doing whatever he needs to do with the singles to get radio play, because he’s going to live or die with that given how long he’s been MIA. That said, for me for you one of the things I love about Dave is the way his arrangements reinforce the emotion of a song and really make me *hear * lyrics – that’s why his covers are always so damn awesome IMO. I’m not hearing that with this song – the music and lyrics seem very disconnected. But yeah, hopefully that’s just because it’s a short snippet, so withholding judgement at this point.

Listening

Wow so I come back to a snippet of Last Goodbye right now i’m like it can’t say I love it yet but i’m feeling positive about what’s in store for the entire song.

I think we got a snippet that’s half uptempo and half mid tempo right when they were going for the slow down so it’s a little jarring. I think if we had the gradual descent into midtempo through hearing the entire song it wouldn’t seem so abrupt.

Oh and I like hearing the other guys doing the whoa whoa whoahs. I’m gonna listen to it again feel like i’ll get into more and more.

I want the whole song nooooowwwww now now now now.

pattycake

Ok, I panicked at first listen over the production, as I was expecting angst in the song based on the lyrics. But have several more repeats, I am liking it more and I’m sure one I see Cookie perform it on my TV, I will be sold.

_nyanyanie

wow!! i just came back, & cookie goodness is here… im excited for the whole song… i want to hear more.. !!!

Brisblondie

once I see Cookie perform it on my TV

EEEEE! That’s next week! :)

kathrynTX

David. David Cook. Geez, howdy y’all! I haven’t posted on here in forever. INNYWAY…up front, I’m a huge Cook fan, LURV him. Still listen to him every day since 2008. So I liked this snippet, overall. I would love for him to get radio play so if it takes a song that I’m not crazy over every note & word, OK then. I’ve got my order in for the download & the cd already. Hah. I love his voice, phrasing, emotion, his SINGING, his “progressions.” I love Acoustic Dave and would love a “Cover Boy” album, I bet. I am not a big fan of overproduction and drowning out his voice & musical ability. Or of insubtantial BS pop I can’t relate to. The words are as important as the music, the sound, to me.

SOOOO I hope for Cook in great voice on a rock-leaning album. Please, no boring BS inane teenage bee-bop pop i’m-a-huge-star-arent-i-cool-and-fun STUFF. But I also want to hear him on the radio! I want IT ALL, Cook. Deliver. Please. Thanks. Love ya!

sr4mjc

Please, no boring BS inane teenage bee-bop pop i’m-a-huge-star-arent-i-cool-and-fun STUFF. But I also want to hear him on the radio!

I really don’t think that’s possible for Cook. And I like Pop.

I wish we knew if they were pushing this to CHR and HAC at the same time. Nothing in All Access yet?

SharB

Ha! I was just telling a friend how excited I was that David would be on my TV next week and the single is dropping next week, too. She said “oh you don’t care what he sings, you’re going to like it” and I must say ITA. Disappointed I’ll have to wait until June for the full release, but I’ll take whatever snippet I can get, at this point because it’s been too damn longgggg!!!!!!!

mmb

Is it just me or does he appear to have more hair? Yes, I’m shallow

tierbee

Hi, kathrynTX! It’s been a while! :)

EEEEE! That’s next week!

YAY!!!

Wow, after waiting 4,252 years… this stuff is all a little overwhelming haha!!

cheese

I wish we knew if they were pushing this to CHR and HAC at the same time. Nothing in All Access yet?

Nope, nothing yet. Based on the tinkly sounds, the Tedder co-write, the tempo and the energy, I think they’re probably going to push it to CHR. It’s lacking that distinct “HAC only” sound. (When I think HAC generic, I think of something like Beautiful Like You).

I don’t know how it will do though, there’s a new Neon Trees song that’s catchier and a couple of other pop rock bands to compete with for the few none-Gaga, Kesha, Rihanna, Katy, rapper collab CHR slots.

CindyM

I don’t think it’s CHR sounding at all. It sounds pure HAC to me. It will be interesting to see what they do with it, but I thought we’d see an adds date by now. C’mon RCA.

Marie23

Hmm on first listen, it sounds very Daughtryish…maybe it’ll make it on hac radio with a strong radio push *shrugs*

sr4mjc

I don’t know how it will do though, there’s a new Neon Trees song that’s catchier and a couple of other pop rock bands to compete with for the few none-Gaga, Kesha, Rihanna, Katy, rapper collab CHR slots.

Thanks! I’m kinda digging this Neon Trees song. That’s more what I think of with Pop/rock and Cook’s song doesn’t sound very Pop to me. Despite some twinkle sounds. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a place on a CHR playlist, but it doesn’t sound like they went all Kelly ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ on him either.

unidentified

I have played it 5 times so far. I really like it. I want to hear the rest now! They probably have it under lock and key till it’s release date.

Oh David Cook voice how I missed you.

Balance

but it doesn’t sound like they went all Kelly ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ on him either.

LOL…I love Kelly and all but…thank god to this.

I like the new Neon Trees single too, but listen to the snippet of it in amazon. Sounds 100% HAC to my ear. Still reserving judgement until I hear the whole thing. :)

kathrynTX

Hi tierbee! hee. Well so I ordered the record (2 versions) sound unheard. Cause I have to hear whatever he does! I’m sure I’ll search for some recent mp3s soon as I can too. I like pop music too or pop-rock or HAC. What’s CHR? On the other hand, I do NOT like a lot of the popular songs & artists I hear ALL THE TIME on the non-country stations I listen to. I don’t know what format they are, I just have several presets to choose from. And my iPod thank goodness, which has tons of Cook from different Cook-eras mixed with everything else, from my friend’s local band which is way harder rock than current Cook, to Rob Thomas Miranda Lambert Bonnie Raitt John Hiatt Adam Lambert Kelly Clarkson Ryan Star Keith Urban SRV et al.

Recordings I’ve heard of other “new” songs from different Cook performance the past year or so have sounded very 80’s-ish to me. But Cookified. Like Don’t You Forget About Me. All good to me, long as it’s him singing. la.

sma11ie

I agree with whoever said the choice of the snippet starting at mid-chorus and going to the second verse is jarring and making it hard to judge if this song is more CHR or HAC. The chorus sounds like CHR potential, while the verse sounds more HAC, lol.

But in any case, I’m not gonna go crazy guessing if it’s got CHR potential. I’m just happy to see signs that he’ll get a pretty smooth adoption rate right off the bat on HAC. He got so much radio love with the Adele cover, I’m hoping these folks remember him when the single drops! If getting his fourth consecutive top 10 hit on HAC, with even just a minute chance at CHR is what we’re looking at, I can’t complain. As we saw with Lee, just because your songs sound really HAC (SS, BLY), doesn’t mean that HAC radio (which is a HUGE format, btw) will necessarily play you.

As for the snippet itself… I have to say, I know we haven’t heard the whole song, but I don’t hear any of the typical Tedder trademarks on this song at all! The structure, lyrics, all sound pretty straight up Cookian to me. If anything, a bit more of Tedder stank (gasp!) might convince me more that they’re shooting for CHR…? As of right now, I’m not sure. And the production… well, I’m undecided for now, but I’ve got my eyes on Serletic… don’t you drown out David’s voice and phrasing, or I will hunt you down, lol.

It’s a got a big electronic/keyboard element to it and a dance beat, with an 80s retro sound. Cook’s is more guitar driven, which is what I usually identify with HAC compared to CHR. Just my opinion. But that being said, I think RCA will be doing a push to both formats. Cook didn’t record all those lead-ins for nothing ;)

I’m just happy to see signs that he’ll get a pretty smooth adoption rate right off the bat on HAC.

I have no doubt about this. I still hear Light On and Magic Rainbows on my HAC station.

If anything, a bit more of Tedder stank (gasp!) might convince me more that they’re shooting for CHR…? As of right now, I’m not sure.

I think that’s lack of Tedder production. Take away his drum beats and I can’t pick a Tedder song lyrically.

It’s a got a big electronic/keyboard element to it and a dance beat, with an 80s retro sound. Cook’s is more guitar driven, which is what I usually identify with HAC compared to CHR. Just my opinion. But that being said, I think RCA will be doing a push to both formats. Cook didn’t record all those lead-ins for nothing

The lack of guitar in the verse (in favor of tinkling noises) is what made me think David’s song might be geared toward at least a shot at CHR. I guess I’ve just come to associate HAC with dreary mid-tempo songs and wuss rock.

fadetowhite

Well – that Neon Trees song doesn’t sound great in the snippet either :lol So maybe it’s just me.

I’ve been on a major album buying spree in the last few weeks and am getting round to listening to them.

I’ve had Mumford and Sons and Adele’s 19 on repeat in the car for about a month. In the last few days, I’ve been listening to The Strokes and Vampire Weekend and 30 Seconds To Mars. I still have Elbow’s latest and Adele’s 21 to get to…

All have strong, unique, interesting sounds.

I need that from you this time around Cook – I need to hear that sonic landscape.

Otherwise, extremely sad though I will be to say it, I may have to break up with you. It will be ‘Goodbye to the boy’ – although I will still have AH, Axium and some of DCTR to keep me warm.

ok, good point with these songs! but when Tedder said you wouldn’t be able to tell he wrote on this one, you really can’t tell he wrote on this one. there’s zero Tedder put in those terms. Makes me wonder what exactly did he write ? Or after Turning Tables, Tedder actually started giving a shit about writing?

I still have Elbow’s latest and Adele’s 21 to get to…

Get listening to 21, it blows 19 away! I think I listened to Set Fire to the Rain 8 times in a row yesterday. Just hand her the Grammy now.

I guess I’ve just come to associate HAC with dreary mid-tempo songs and wuss rock.

I have to disagree again, at least with my stations. I listen to both HAC and CHR and Cook fits right in with the HAC playlist. If he gets CHR play, it will be one of the fewer non-dancy slots. My HAC does play a lot of everything though, Lady Gaga through Adele and my CHR leans heavily rhythmic. I’ll be shocked if this gets more than a couple of spins, unless it gets past Top 20 CHR. They are sheep pretty much.

fadetowhite

Get listening to 21, it blows 19 away!

It’s waiting for me. Hell – I even had RITD at my Spin class today – it’s a stunning song.

happycamper

I think I love it. I need to hear the whole song.

tinawina

Well – that Neon Trees song doesn’t sound great in the snippet either :lol So maybe it’s just me.

It’s not just you. Now I’m going to YouTube to find the whole thing, because hat snippet did nothing for me. I like their other stuff though, so I’m hoping the real song sounds good.

ETA: And here it goes! Okay, better than the snippet. Very retro but still sounds HAC friendly.

tinawina

ETA: And here it goes! Okay, better than the snippet. Very retro but still sounds HAC friendly.

standtotheright

I’ve been listening to The Strokes […]

All have strong, unique, interesting sounds.

And here’s where YMMV comes in. I have never found the Strokes to be strong or interesting sonically and certainly not on these reluctant, disinterested, couldn’t-even-record-in-the-same room tracks.

Now, I rather like the NT album (even though I know they’re kinda dicks in person), but it does blend together really quickly, and for eight songs, one would think they could have varied it a bit more.

Anyway, I still think that sample of Paper Heart from the Youtube studio vid kicked it, sonically (as did the other song with the whistle), so I’m not going to assume that Serletic muddled up everything until I hear a decent quality recording. Amazon samples will never give me that.

cheese

I have to disagree again, at least with my stations. I listen to both HAC and CHR and Cook fits right in with the HAC playlist. If he gets CHR play, it will be one of the fewer non-dancy slots.

Oh, I definitely think he fits into HAC, I guess I was just wondering if it would have a better chance at CHR than some HAC songs. I realize the non-dancy songs are few and far between. I have no idea. Hopefully, someone will play it and it won’t tank with the album still 2 months out.

My local CHR station is too obnoxious to listen to and my HAC station has a weak signal so I don’t listen to either format very much.

123abc456

I think this sounds like a HAC song. But it is only 30 seconds so it is hard to tell. But from what I have heard I like it. I love that it is uptempo. I of course love Dave’s vocals. :) I really can’t wait to hear the whole thing.

fadetowhite

Okay, better than the snippet. Very retro but still sounds HAC friendly.

Standtotheright – yes, now I do actually really like Paper Heart and do think it’s far more interesting musically (though we’ll have to disagree on The Strokes)…

Like I say – I need to hear the album. LO and CBTM were by far and away my least favourite tracks on DCTR…

blissful

I like it upon first listen, which is a completely opposite reaction to LO. I’m glad it is uptempo and that his voice comes out clear but I can do without the “ooos”. Hopefully the rest of song will sound good.

I have idea of how it will do on CHR.

sr4mjc

, I guess I was just wondering if it would have a better chance at CHR than some HAC songs.

Good a chance as any! And I’m so jaded about radio, that honestly I think it comes down to label backing and $$. If RCA wants a lead single CHR hit with this, they can get it, at least to Top 20 CHR and Top 10 HAC. Archie had issues with airplay, maybe Jive didn’t back SBL enough, but I also think Archie has branding issues which Cook doesn’t have.

Not a Mumford or Strokes fan here..

sma11ie

Speaking of RITD… someone mentioned that they wished they would get a visceral reaction to a Cook single the way they do with some of his covers like RITD, and it made me think about the Cook songs that triggered a visceral reaction in me, and I think Declaration and Permanent were the ones on DCTR. Of course they’re not even my favorite songs from DCTR now, so I don’t know what that means about my visceral reactions. But then I thought of covers I immediately responded to, like RITD (I’ve been listening to it nonstop for days now), and I noticed one other Cook cover that I loved that was kind of similar to RITD, which was Little Lies. Bear with me a sec. The similarity is that both songs start in Cook’s mid-range, and start uptempo, then maintains the tempo, and goes into some higher range stuff. It just showcases his voice so perfectly. So many of David’s songs, and even his other covers start slower and lower, and then ramps up for the chorus, so we wait for the payoff, but with RITD and LL, the beautiful tone of his voice in his midrange smacks you in the face immediately, AND it’s upbeat to start, so it gets you jumping right away. Anyway, I always floved Little Lies, from the acoustic version they did at Kyle’s birthday before kicking off the tour, to the full band plugged in one. That’s my little revelation of the day. My pony is that David noticed that’s what worked for those two covers and wrote a song like that on DCTR2…

BootStar

I do wish his own music was as soulful and edgy as the songs he chooses as covers.

So do I!

Ugh, I wish I hadn’t listened to that little snippet. I’m just going to pretend I didn’t because that was not what I was hoping for.

Did anybody catch Serletic on “CMT’s Search for a Superstar” last week? He is the chief judge and was as dull and affectless as I feared. Blech.

I’m pulling for you, Cook, I really am, but I might have to medicate to prepare for the next week.

Agreed. Nowhere near as catchy as Animal, but not as bad as that snippet.

Ugh, I wish I hadn’t listened to that little snippet. I’m just going to pretend I didn’t because that was not what I was hoping for.

LOL! Don’t do it to yourself Bootstar. Snippets lie. They’re evil.

Balance

fadetowhite – Who are you kidding? You’re not breaking up with this guy any time soon. I mean really, come on, let’s be real. ;)

standtotheright

I noticed one other Cook cover that I loved that was kind of similar to RITD, which was Little Lies

I noticed the similarity too, but I wasn’t articulating it in those terms. That helps. Thanks!

As for actually having a song like those on the album. I have no idea if it would happen or if I actually would want it if it did. Reserving judgment.

fadetowhite

Balance:

fadetowhite – Who are you kidding? You’re not breaking up with this guy any time soon. I mean really, come on, let’s be real.

I don’t want to sniff…

Sometimes I think the long wait and the ramping up and down do the guy no favours at all…

And I do so love AH and most of the Axium stuff and some of the DCTR stuff.

Maybe my expectations are just too ‘lofty’.

Bottom line: he’s a great guy, with an amazing voice; he’s shown a way with lyrics that has, at times, touched me to the core and he has a way of singing lyrics/tunes that brings out the deeper meaning in pretty much anything – but not always in his own post-AI output: and that is weird to me.

It’d be really hard to break up, it would…it would…but I need a musical return on my faith and emotional investment.

Paper Heart makes some promise that it’s there, but this snippet hasn’t delivered and it’s got me all jittery again.

There’s nothing as angsty as a DC fan – that’s for sure.

kathrynTX

OK had to look up radio format lingo! I think I listen to an HAC/CHR station, country, an “alternative/local” scene station, a rock, and 1 classic rock station. I can’t tell HAC from CHR honestly. And that station, well, I have to TURN IT frequently to country or my iPod. But I also hear stuff I like and I constantly, since DCTR was released, wonder why they don’t play DAVID COOK. He would fit right in, I think. But he sounds a little different to me than much of their play. However, I still could so hear Avalanche on the station. Or Fall Back Into Me. Or You & I. Paper Heart? Which sounds REALLY 80’s to me….

I dunno, I just know I WANNA HEAR THE NEW DAVID COOK ALBUM. And see him LIVE again. And again. Cause you never know what they might do live.

I have been out of the current scene lately ‘cept for radio drive time shows, just trying to get more of my old cds on the iPod!, and now will have to get some Adele, because I heard David’s cover. Right after I get the new Foo Fighters. Whom I also bought because of David. And maybe check out some other new (to me) tunes I’ve read about HERE, from you all. Thanks!

Snippet sounded better the 2nd time around. I didn’t much care for LO either, although it did grow on me a bit. CBTM is not a favorite, listenable because he’s singing it. I kept wishing a COOK written single would be released from DCTR. But alas. SO maybe this time! Yay. You go, boy.

sr4mjc

I think I listen to an HAC/CHR station,

What is the station? We can look it up for you :)

justic

he needs to release the songs we heard on the album teaser. they were interesting from first note. this one really stinks. CBTM is a masterpiece next to this corny shiit (and i loathe CBTM).
it’s official! boy gets the worst singles in the music bizz.
19/RCA have no clue how to manage this incredibly talented guy. SAD!

sma11ie

It’d be really hard to break up, it would…it would…but I need a musical return on my faith and emotional investment.

What would you consider an adequate musical return though? For me, if like, three songs on the album resonate with me deeply, and his voice sounds good on the rest, then there’s no way I’m not buying it, or going to shows when he comes by me. I think that’s a low enough bar that DCTR2 will meet it, whether or not I hate the lead single (I probably won’t, so yay for me on that).

DCTR was not what I had wanted from David post-Idol, yet there were more than 3 songs that resonated with me, and his voice sounds awesome on the rest, so I listen to it. I don’t need to flove the whole album to consider it adequate musical return, but that’s just me.

zanzibar

I hate to say it [and I’m going to say it and then go back into deep dark lurkitude] but I think that my reaction to this album is going to be colored so very very much by the new Foo Fighters, which lyrically and musically is just incredible – and should win every Grammy on earth.

And I’m sorry David Cook, because it isn’t fair and I know Dave Grohl likely has a heckuva lot more pull as far as creation goes, but I really hope there’s a lot less pro-tooling and production than there appears to be in these snippets.

kmd

I don’t know what to think of the song. I think you may need to listen to the whole song. It is so difficult for any artist to have a hit single these days. I think 19/RCA and 19/Jive are both not that great at managing their talent.

kathrynTX

I’m in Dallas-Ft Worth. Mix 102.9 is the one I think is HAC or maybe CHR. Then there’s 100.3, 91.7, 97.1 haha, and 92.5 (classic rock?) on my presets. The other one is country 96.3. I don’t have access to everything I’d like here, and I’ve never bothered to find out their official “format.” 102.9 plays an assortment of stuff and I keep thinking Cook would fit in there.

I don’t expect to love every song on the new record equally. But overall, he is still my favorite artist to listen to over & over again, since 2008. I really must go find the mp3 for RITD. And listen to some Adele – I don’t think I’ve ever heard her! What should I get first? Is 21 the name of the album?

tierbee

Can a song really be judged by a teeny little snippet? I really am completely withholding judgment (and taking my supplies to the bunker) until I hear the whole thing.

but not always in his own post-AI output: and that is weird to me.

Not to me – because post-AI he belongs to a major label with songwriters and cowriters and all that. His pre-AI stuff was him, especially AH. I am interested to see if we get more of Cook and less of “helpers” on this one for more songs. I mean, we get a NFT/Andy/Cook song, we know that. I love Paper Heart. Good start! On the first record we had Daily Anthem which I knew from the first two lines was all Cook. Permanent… I love Avalanche and Lie, and still drive around singing along with Declaration and Heroes. So I was pretty ok with the first record :) We’ll see what we have here. There really is no way to tell with a snippet. And especially no way to tell what the rest of the album is like from a snippet of a single, I don’t think.

Trina

I think I’ll wait until I hear the whole song and see how RCA handles the radio promo before reviewing it or deciding RCA doesn’t know how to handle hia talent. Better yet, I think I’ll wait until I hear the whole album before deciding I’m not getting anything from a musical standpoint in return. I just really can’t believe people were expecting anything remotely like his pre-AI stuff, or KOTN, or Barbasol. And if he did get something like that for a first single and got no airplay there would be complaints about that.

fadetowhite

For me, if like, three songs on the album resonate with me deeply, and his voice sounds good on the rest, then there’s no way I’m not buying it, or going to shows when he comes by me.

Well – I’ve already bought/pre-ordered it :lol And I’m not cancelling…I’m just looking down the line.

And I live in the UK – so shows don’t come into it.

I need the album to have some unity of sound and theme.

And yep – I need there to be a handful of really strong songs that speak to me.

I don’t mind a light CHR single, if that’s what it is, so long as the album has more depth and resonance – so, like I say, bring on the album.

Tierbee – I get what you’re saying re: pre major label contract and post: major label contract. But, I’m not so sure it has to be like that. And if it does, then the same question arises. I really like Cook’s pre-AI music and style, though I always felt it could do with some progression, especially with the music.

If the post-AI world means that the progression moves the music completely away from the things I loved/the potential I saw, then how far do I follow that? Especially if that’s the direction he wants to progress in?

ETA: although there was enough in DCTR – especially given the production constraints – for me to get behind: KOTN, Avalanche, A Daily Anthem, Heroes (a good CHR song, IMO). But I’m fairly sure that the elements that attracted me were not the most ‘commericial’ aspects of the album.

ETA2: And I’m not completely dismissing the potential for DCTR2. It’s just a bummer, that my first taste of the first single off an album we’ve been building towards for 2 years is a little underwhelming, for me personally.

It’s like – on a very different level and scale – recent U2 and REM against prime U2 and REM, in some ways. The earlier stuff I love, the most recent stuff not so much, so when do I just stop buying and stick to enjoying the stuff I loved? U2, I’m still buying; REM – I haven’t bought the latest album, yet…

fadetowhite

I just really can’t believe people were expecting anything remotely like his pre-AI stuff, or KOTN, or Barbasol.

I wasn’t expecting that.

I wasn’t expecting anything.

I was hoping for a stronger sound. Because – whatever the genre, whatever the fashion, whatever is current – really strong, break out singles have that in common: a stonkingly strong sound.

ladymadonna

I’m psyched about the snippet. It’s very commercial and I doubt seriously it will be my favorite song on the album, but I think it’s the best of all worlds – he’s got a songwriting credit that by all appearances is more than just a vanity credit, it’s up-tempo, seems to be in his sweet spot vocally, has some interesting guitar riffs happening there, and most importantly seems very radio-ready.

It will be a crap-shoot with CHR, but ANY David Cook song is going to be a crap-shoot on CHR. I could easily see this hitting #1 on HAC though, or at least extending his Top 10 streak on that format to 4 in a row. [of course…I’d like to hear the full song before making these pronouncements, but so far? I’m happy.]

sunchick

Better yet, I think I’ll wait until I hear the whole album before deciding I’m not getting anything from a musical standpoint in return.

LOL, no shit. I understand the knee jerk reactions and I angst with the best of them, but I dunno, I wasn’t ever planning to base my enjoyment of this next album on a Tedder co-penned first single handpicked by RCA. Mostly because David’s albums, from Matter of Time right up through DCTR, are always cohesive efforts. And also because there’s Tedder in the equation, who is by far my least fave of the cowriters tossed about, and RCA who, if RCA Ed’s slip ups here and there are any indication, have no fucking clue about Cook’s rich musical history. A scary thought when you consider they have artistic veto power for his career. I honestly loved Paper Heart instantly, would have been perfectly happy with it as the lead single, and I love the acoustic version too, and was more stoked about that than the RITD cover. As for this song, at this point my trepidation is mostly mollified by the lyrics leak. I’m relieved that David’s input comes through in lyrics and he isn’t saddled with yet another single with the cornpone sentiment of CBTM, because those lyrics continue to stick in my craw like a burr on a stray dog. So, there’s that.

kathrynTX

Good night, fadetowhite! Poor little fadetowhite. You don’t get to see David sing LIVE?!?!?! AWWWWW. Argh. Cause you SHOULD. Yeah I know what you mean about buying everything an artist puts out, esp over a 20 year career. You’re probably not going to love everything, might not even LIKE some of it. I was that way with Tom Petty, Neil Young, U2, REM, others. David’s just starting to put out. haha. So I’m still buying it! One thing I really like about my personal discovery of Cook is that I’ve branched out, expanded my musical tastes. I never would’ve bought Foo Fighters if it weren’t for him. Or Ryan Star. Or Midwest Kings, To Have Heroes, Rob Thomas, probably some others. It will be FUN when the new record comes out! And if we don’t like it at all, we don’t have to listen to it or buy any more Cook. But we might, Eeyore, we might. We just might still love him…we gots to give him a chance, right?

sma11ie

fadetowhite, I gotcha. Totally hear where you’re coming from, but I would probably wait til we hear the full song before determining where it might rest in the spectrum musically. I think if I’d heard a 30-second snippet of Paper Heart in an awkward part of the song, I wouldn’t really like it, but it’s the whole song that I like for PH. So yeah, maybe the full song will surprise ya, and if not, hopefully the rest of the album (in JUNE, ack!) will.

movin2thabeet

My first reactions: It’s musically so generic sounding, so it does leave me a bit anxious. I don’t think you get a hit record by fading in with the furniture. You need to make a statement, and take some kind of a risk so that your single is distinctive, instantly recognizable. My first reaction is that this sounds like an every-kind-of-song, like Nickelback/Daughtry/spoon-fed rock – that which rock purists turn their noses at. And I don’t think that is Dave at all. I was hoping, and still hope, not for Foo Fighters level, which we might get more of a taste of a couple of albums from now, but something with some kind of originality. Instead, I heard the musical equivalent of plain oatmeal. Paint by numbers corporate HAC ‘music’. Uggh. I’ve got to stop now as I’m one of those prone to membership in the Dave Cook angst tribe.

Garnetstar

Finally home and just listened to it. Holy shit people why all the angst? It sounds so upbeat and F-U-N. I agree with others, radio play is going to be a crapshoot, so why worry about that. Yes RCA sucks but who didn’t know that? Cook lyrics FTW. That work of art lyric is right out of We’re only Honest When We’re Sleeping. New music. Here we go. So freaking glad it’s not a ballad or snoozy Adult Contemporary mid tempo.

ETA: bland I don’t get it. This is WOHWWS/souvenir with a bit of tempo and radio friendly gloss. Whatever. I can understand angst. Been there done that. Over it. Bring on the tour.

Sydia

I like it. Catchy, interesting lyrics. Very excited about the new song and cd.

listen

Snippets can be very deceiving………

With that being said, on first listen, this sounds a lot like DCTR, a tad over produced. But then how can we really judge from just 30 seconds? (Don’t really want another Cook album that mimics DCTR)

David sounds good, and I will hope for the best !!

Eyeswideshut2

Sunchick

RCA who, if RCA Ed’s slip ups here and there are any indication, have no fucking clue about Cook’s rich musical history. A scary thought when you consider they have artistic veto power for his career

ITA.

Sydia

Oh…and his co-write, so yes it’s all good.

leome

this sounds a lot like DCTR,

I think this one thing that I really disagree. I can’t remember one song on DCTR that reminded me of this one. Not that it’s a bad or good thing, it just listening to these 30 seconds one of my first reactions was that it’s different than what we got last time.
But there are 2 minutes and 30 seconds left.

movin2thabeet

Really, I don’t think its angst when we don’t care for the tripe that RCA forces on creative individuals. Ultimately, I’m a fan of the wildly creative artist, Dave Cook, and so when I think his hands are being tied in the supposed interests of commercial ‘success’, I’m not thrilled about it. I suspect that artists like Dave are both happy to have some success, but also happy that folks are clambering to hear his unique, unvarnished, expressive side. I know, I know, we’re likely going to have that chance at least somewhere on this album, but again, as a fan of Dave the artist, I don’t like to see Dave known as the CBTM/TLG fluffy type artist. Heck, if he hadn’t ever been on Idol, we wouldn’t even know how much more there is to him than this.

This first single off his major label sophomore effort after a long break could be critical to his career, and I really was hoping for a much bolder throwdown than this. Again, I hope this snippet didn’t do the song justice, and we hear much more than CBTM, part deaux.

Garnetstar

Yeah, no. I wish there had been an uptempo tune like this on DCTR. He had tons of mid tempo and ballads. Declaration was the most straight uptempo song he has done. Nothing like this riff based, rhythmic thing going on in the snippet. But YMMV and just IMO.

IMO CBTM is not The Last Goodbye. First Cook had no hand in CBTM. The lyrics in that song are son not Cook. This song I already see the lyrics have his signature all over them. And musically I see a more direct line from We’re only Honest than anything on DCTR. But IMO and YMMV.

standtotheright

RCA who, if RCA Ed’s slip ups here and there are any indication, have no fucking clue about Cook’s rich musical history. A scary thought when you consider they have artistic veto power for his career

ITA.

And I totally disagree. RCA Ed is a web admin who gossips. His job is to fix the website and to contract with other websites for placement.

If it were “David Wolter’s Corner” and an actual A&R person didn’t know anything about AH or his prior albums, maybe I’d be concerned.

But expressing concern at Ed and the webnerds not knowing is like complaining that the payroll department doesn’t know. It’s completely irrelevant to the job they do.

Also, everything that Garnetstar said. I suspect that a full quality stream is going to show up a lot of chords and motifs that sound like other Cook songs. It’s the same game as with Make Believe, only at much higher bpms.

Curlin

I hope it gets CHR play but I typically only listen to HAC anyway. Can’t take more than 10 mins of my local CHR station (Q102), if that. Anyway, so far I do like what I hear but we’ll see next week I guess. I’m really easy when it comes to Cook as I like pretty much all his songs. Plus his songs are usually more rockin’ in concert anyway, so there’s that!

ETA. KathrynTX — Cook’s just starting to put out??? Where does the line form???!! ;)

Balance

If it were “David Wolter’s Corner” and an actual A&R person didn’t know anything about AH or his prior albums, maybe I’d be concerned.

But expressing concern at Ed and the webnerds not knowing is like complaining that the payroll department doesn’t know. It’s completely irrelevant to the job they do.

ITA

I don’t really care if Ed knows or likes anything David has put out, I just want him to know how and where to advertise it.

sma11ie

I suspect that artists like Dave are both happy to have some success, but also happy that folks are clambering to hear his unique, unvarnished, expressive side.

How did he phrase it? Finding the balance or trade-off between art and commerce, he once said.

I suspect that a full quality stream is going to show up a lot of chords and motifs that sound like other Cook songs.

One of the reasons I really like PH is because the opening chords set that cool mood, and when you hear that chord progression underlying the song later on, it’s SO COOL. There could be amazing riffs, inventive instrumentation, and the most iconic opening chords in the making since Seven Nation Army (lol, too much?) in other parts of TLG not on the snippet, but we would have no idea based on these 30 seconds. So yeah, I’m just happy I like the general mood and vibe I hear in these few seconds but reserve my judgment on whether it’s generic or CBTM 2.0 (which, I cannot see at all) for the full song.

Eyeswideshut2

RCA who, if RCA Ed’s slip ups here and there are any indication, have no fucking clue about Cook’s rich musical history. A scary thought when you consider they have artistic veto power for his career

ITA.

standtotheright says:
04/14/2011 at 7:22 pm

And I totally disagree. RCA Ed is a web admin who gossips. His job is to fix the website and to contract with other websites for placement.

If it were “David Wolter’s Corner” and an actual A&R person didn’t know anything about AH or his prior albums, maybe I’d be concerned.

But expressing concern at Ed and the webnerds not knowing is like complaining that the payroll department doesn’t know. It’s completely irrelevant to the job they do.

Also, everything that Garnetstar said. I suspect that a full quality stream is going to show up a lot of chords and motifs that sound like other Cook songs. It’s the same game as with Make Believe, only at much higher bpms.

Heh. You are right, of course. My post was a purely visceral reaction to my loathing of Ed. As to the snippet, TBH, I am still at the ‘wow, it really is upbeat’ stage (tm somebody awesome earlier on in the thread). :-)

Garnetstar

Ed, Shmed. Delusions of grandeur with that one. Listen, am I the only one that thinks it’s a good thing RCA is even letting David have a chance with an uptempo? They could have gone the Daughtry route and gave him bland old mid tempo AC ballad. (sorry chris fans) If it ain’t broke and all that. TOML, LO CBTM etc…any who just a thought.

Balance

I don’t know how he does it, but I’ve gone from cautiously optimistic and “well, I like it better than I liked LO”, to I think I freaking love this.

Joyed

Interesting conversation :)

I like the instrumentation in the snippet, like the driving rhythm, and like the Oh Ohs.

Also, I think it would be hilarious if it becomes the go-to request song for dumping someone: “If you hear this on the radio, we’ve already said our last goodbye” hahaha (I mean, so sad).

Other thoughts:

We know RCA knows David’s past music (before AI) because he turned it in and songs like Straight Ahead and A Daily AntheM were in the running – and one made the first CD.

am I the only one that thinks it’s a good thing RCA is even letting David have a chance with an uptempo?

I actually thought that when Tedder first mentioned the tempo. All of the 3 others songs of his that get played are much slower, and I wondered if they would risk breaking that precedent for his first single.

Sidenote: To be fair to Daughtry “No Surprise” did really well and I still hear it all the time. It was the follow-up singles that weren’t well planned by RCA (and I think it was more a tempo issue than a quality issue). Hey Cook fans – there’s some future angst to borrow ;)

http://emuisemo.pbworks.com eilonwy

This first single off his major label sophomore effort after a long break could be critical to his career.

True, dat. The mass radio audience for it doesn’t necessarily have a ton of investment in Cook’s career, though. They’re going to buy TLG if it strikes them as a good song.

Of course I’m going to have my own aesthetic opinion on that issue. One does. My local HAC station is likely to be the among the first to add the song, so I’m hoping to be able to form my opinion by hearing it on the radio, in context with other songs, the way casual listeners will hear it.

wordnerdarchie

Oh great! Check this out.
#RaceTaylor of 95.5 WPLJ (New York)

@DblJerseyGirl We are talking to DC next week!!!

kathrynTX

OK you’re taking my “Cook is putting out” comment out of context! lol. I typed it without thinking and then left it there with the “haha.” Yeah, is there a LINE? No disrespect, my dear David. hee. SOOOO…the song snippet…I’ve only listened 3X. I don’t know what I expected on this 2nd major label record, but I think this was it. Hah. Now that someone else said it, it DOES remind me of WOHWWS and Souvenir. Maybe one of those will get on the record? He did Straight Ahead a lot on the Tewer and I loved it. It’d be great to get that or Fall Back Into Me on a new record. I doubt it will happen this time, but maybe later….

I’m not angsting, I’m just excited! I would really like some Cook-written singles released this time, please. Please, could the damn radio stations play him in Texas? He was born in HOUSTON, gosh darnit y’all! Support our boy. Really, if they would just play him, they would see that he fits in, yet he stands out.

I sent my sister some info about the single, new album, Idol appearance, etc the other day. She called and asked, incredulously, “Are you STILL sending me David Cook stuff? How long has it been? SHEESH!” YEEEEEEEES I still am head over heels and can’t wait to hear what he does next. Oh and Thank You lovely people who saved us some mp3s from Pet-A-Palooza. WOOT!

progression

19/RCA have no clue how to manage this incredibly talented guy. SAD!

I’m no lover of RCA, but let’s be fair – they’re in a tough bind with someone like Dave. Rock had it’s worst year in decades last year. Their whole business model relies on getting radio play and hopefully CHR to at least some extent, and CHR is pretty unfriendly to pop/rock these days. They can’t change radio. Handing radio a song that is DOA is not going to help Dave any IMO.

It’s not that unusual on a record these days for the singles to be pretty out of step with the rest of the tracks. Not to be all pollyanna about it, but I’m truely not worried at all that there will be something for everyone on the record.

sr4mjc

kathrynTX – Late comment is late, but your stations are HAC, AC, Public radio, Mainstream Rock, Classic Rock and country ;) No CHR in the list.

WPLJ is HAC, as was the Vegas station for Pet A Palooza

Keel

Oh, Jeebus. I was reading this thread on my iPhone on the hour-long drive home* (had a meeting in San Fran) and you guys were seriously freaking me out. So glad I finally heard it. And my verdict is that I really like it. A LOT. Seems a long ways away from CBTM (among other comments I read). Reminds me a bit of Declaration actually — which is still my fave on DCTR.

Oh yeah, and if that’s how he sounds on a super-compressed mp3, I cannot freakin’ wait until I get my hands on that CD. His voice sounds fantastic.

*LOL, just thought I’d clarify that the hubs was driving while I read my iPhone.

standtotheright

I would really like some Cook-written singles released this time, please.

kathryntx, since you seem uncertain on this point: The Last Goodbye is a Cook/Tedder cowrite. It’s on ASCAP and everything. As others have pointed out, the lyrics are quite Cookian.

sunchick

First, can I just say this snippet is hella singalongable, which gives it a leg up on LO in addition to the lyrics pwning CBTM.

Anyway, re: Mr. Ed…point taken, standtotheright. To clarify, I didn’t imagine that Ed is like, oh, I dunno, the Smithers to ODL’s Mr. Burns or anything. And if they had an A&R guy’s corner I might actually post there. But here’s the thing: Ed set himself up as an official RCA mouthpiece on Cookie’s official site, answering questions supposedly on their behalf. As such, his lack of professionalism and basic general knowledge of the product he’s supposed to be pimping doesn’t exactly give me the warm fuzzies for the label in general. The dude thought Paper Heart was an old pre-AI Cook tune, for cripessake. Let’s say I had an electronics store, state of the art stuff. And then I hire a condescending know it all who claims to be an excellent salesman in general yet somehow can’t tell the difference between VHS and Blueray to man the sales floor. Well, what would your impression be if you were an interested customer stopping by to ask questions? That’s where I was coming from, YKWIM?

standtotheright

Let’s say I had an electronics store, state of the art stuff. And then I hire a condescending know it all who claims to be an excellent salesman in general yet somehow can’t tell the difference between VHS and Blueray to man the sales floor. Well, what would your impression be if you were stopping by to ask questions?

I think the better example is a big box electronics store (such as Circuit City), which is desperately trying to stave off bankruptcy and pushes people from the IT repair department to the front of the store just because it’s easier and cheaper than hiring someone personable and consumer-oriented, and then being surprised when the customers complain that he knows jack-shit about cameras. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the people at corporate who are choosing the cameras to put out for sale are not picking the right ones, just that they got really short-sighted in trying to sell them to customers who may have already bought a camera from them before.

Basically, given all the shit that is going down in the record industry, and at RCA in particular, I’m not reading the supposed authority of Ed as any ringing endorsement from anyone behind the curtain. So that’s why I just can’t get het up about his ignorance.

ETA: Balance, also a good point. Although he should probably not even try to answer the camera questions, either. Heh.

Balance

But maybe if the IT guy is wearing a big name tag that says IT on it and the customers keep asking him about cameras, then it’s not 100% the asshole IT guys fault?

fadetowhite

A good night’s sleep and my Eyore has gone back into hiding…and I’m going to wait to hear the whole song and give it a try:

And it might surprise me.

I think it really is the problem with that whole wait…wait…wait thing and building…building…building expectations.

Scott: my problem really was that I wanted this song to be the strong break out single that everyone has speculated the man needs this time around, to sell the album after 2 years off the scene. Not that I specifically wanted it to be a, b or c, or necessarily fit into my wheelhouse.

And I couldn’t hear that.

But patience is a virtue.

I can still recall the snippet after 8 hours of sleep, so that at least is promising.

And a whole song is a different thing to a snippet.

sunchick

Although he should probably not even try to answer the camera questions, either.

*ding!* Anyway, someone else said it best…Ed Schmed. Much more important things to discuss, like next week we get to hear this song live(!) I think I might actually wait to hear the whole recorded song until after the AI appearance and let the performance be my first taste. Kinda recreate the first time I heard Declaration, or Paper Heart, cuz for some reason it’s more exciting that way. :D

I delete finger-wagging lectury posts here. Disagree, but don’t scold or tell fans how to think or feel.

fadetowhite

Funny interview – thanks for the link.

kathrynTX

Hey all, thanks for the info on the radio stations I listen to. I tried to look up that format info on some station websites long ago and couldn’t find crap.

Thanks for the reminder that The Last Goodbye IS indeed a Cook co-write for the first single. YAY! How about a solo Cook effort too? Sounds like there may be 1 or more of those on This Loud Morning too. I’d forgotten what a great place this is to talk about these things! Thanks.

http://flamingnose.blogspot.com Scott

Sorry MJ. It was late and I was kind of rambling half asleep LOL.

I guess the concise, to the point opinion to put out there would have been to simply say what was already stated down thread: that rock is not doing well, labels like RCA are in a tough spot with artists like Cook, and that Cook’s versatility is what will save him. The fact that he CAN do pop-rock so well, and straddle that line between art and commerce, is an asset they surely want to exploit. Also, as noted downthread, singles are often a bit out of step with the rest of the album- especially with rock artists that shoot for HAC, CHR & alternative.

I also want to restate my view that David kind of made his Idol bed in August ’07 in Omaha. He signed up for Idol and he knows the deal. Once you launch on that huge platform of expectations, the world is never quite the same. “Indie artist” is virtually erased.

Also, with the album press release (and lots of great posts on that thread today), it’s clear that David has at least one solo-written song, another co-written with his band (Goodbye to the Girl), and a Kevin Griffin co-write (Cook & Griffin co-wrote Avalanche on DCTR), which should please diehard fans. So it’s all good.